Spinal Tap A to Zed.

March 26, 2007 3:14 PM

A comprehensive guide to one of the loudest bands in rock history. Everything you ever wanted to know about Hoggwood, Four Jacks and a Jill, and of course Stonehenge.
posted by grytpype (17 comments total)

I used to adore this film, but now that it has spawned a seemingly endless stream of Christopher Guest mockumentaries, I'm on the fence about it.
posted by psmealey at 3:21 PM on March 26, 2007

This is the sort of thing that reaffirms my faith in geekdom. Thanks.
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 3:22 PM on March 26, 2007

It's a shame you think tags are a waste of time, grytpype. Might I suggest "goesto11," "shitsandwich," "nonemoreblack," or "indangerofbeingcrushedbyadwarf"?
posted by kyleg at 3:31 PM on March 26, 2007 [2 favorites]

Painstakingly well done... Still, I still can't believe there's no entry for armadillos (as in: trousers, armadillos in our).
posted by psmealey at 3:32 PM on March 26, 2007

but now that it has spawned a seemingly endless stream of Christopher Guest mockumentaries, I'm on the fence about it.

Eh, For Your Consideration was mostly horrible, and A Mighty Wind was seriously flawed, but I think the world was made a better place by Waiting for Guffman and Best In Show.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 3:38 PM on March 26, 2007

Heavy Metal umlaut.
posted by reflection at 3:41 PM on March 26, 2007

it's a strange, strange world we live in, master jack ...
posted by pyramid termite at 3:42 PM on March 26, 2007

"Gimme some money" is being used by a current Visa radio ad. I cracked up when I realized what the song was.
posted by Four Flavors at 3:44 PM on March 26, 2007

Here's a hidden gem on ST A2Z:

"Painful Procedure,"; (PDF) the official ST fanzine, from 1992.

I actually saw their 1992 tour in Cleveland, it was hilarious.

Yes, they did do Stonehenge... at the completion of the song they started looking up into the rafters, then a roadie ran on with a FedEx package and gave it to Derek, who ripped it open, and there was a little Stonehenge monument inside.
posted by grytpype at 4:09 PM on March 26, 2007

That Ian Faith Lives! interview is great.
posted by Smedleyman at 4:18 PM on March 26, 2007

Umlaüts Röck!
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:38 PM on March 26, 2007

I think there is still room for a real documentary that takes a look at Spinal Tap, Manowar, Hawkwind etc. The absurdity is delicious. Oddly enough, I saw them in Cleveland as well, at the Nautica on their Break Like the Wind tour. I was one of the kids with the giant "Go Nigel Go!" banner that was hoisted whenever Nigel did a solo.

Also, the obligatory reference to, "I'm not fuckin' 'avin that."
posted by well_balanced at 4:50 PM on March 26, 2007

What, no Disaster Area?
posted by Mach5 at 4:51 PM on March 26, 2007

At the Nautica show some dude behind me didn't know it was a gag band... he slowly caught on.
posted by grytpype at 5:05 PM on March 26, 2007

That was me.
I was shopping for sportswear and thought it was some weird trunk show thingie.
posted by Dizzy at 5:20 PM on March 26, 2007

Huh.
I just wrote a book about THIS IS SPINAL TAP (coming soon from Wallflower Press; click on "Cultographies" on the left), and "Spinal Tap A to Zed" was an ever-at-hand reference. (I also made reference to the awesome, awesome "Heavy Metal Umlaut" article - one of the triumphs of Wikipedia, in my opinion.)

I'm glad to see the links point to Chip's site - he's a nice guy, and it's certainly the most comprehensive compendium of TAP info anywhere.
posted by Dr. Wu at 5:24 PM on March 26, 2007

I can't believe I never noticed the umlaut over the n.
Those things usually drive me crazy, but if Tap did it, it's OK.
'...a fine line between clever and stupid.'

I think I'll be in this site for a few days- see ya later.
posted by MtDewd at 11:47 AM on March 27, 2007